The Gadsden County Health Department in partnership with the Bond Community Health Center held a local National Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing Event last week in Havana.

The event is part of the health department’s Health Education Risk Reduction Program to reach people at increased risk of becoming infected with HIV as well as those that may already be infected and transmitting the virus to others.

The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of these events from occurring.

Ronterrius Clark, HIV Training and Prevention Consultant, and Dale Harrison, Area 2 Sexually Transfered Disease (STD) Program Manager, both with the Gadsden County Health Department, spoke recently about the event and what it means to the community.

Clark explained that by holding the testing in local neighborhoods it allows those who could not find transportation to the health department an opportunity to be tested for HIV.

At the event, Harrison said the testing, which takes about 20 minutes, is offered for free, as it is at the health department.

“Basically,” he said, “we are trying to have a safe community.”

There were several other organizations at the event which included the Gadsden County Health Council’s Prescription Assistance Medical Services Program, Gadsden County’s Woman to Woman Program, Wells Fargo, Walgreen’s Drug Store and Big Bend Cares, Clark said.

When asked what would happen if someone tested positive for HIV, Harrison said they would be referred to Big Bend Cares, an organization who works with HIV/AIDS clients.

Both Harrison and Clark were quick to say that HIV is treatable if caught soon enough (but not curable).

Being HIV-positive means that it is possible for you to pass the virus along to others, including your sexual partners.

If you are female, you could also pass it along to your unborn child.

Once you have been infected with HIV, you will always carry it in your body.

There is no cure for HIV. It is a serious, infectious disease that can lead to death if it isn't treated.

Several of the organizations offering information at the recent HIV testing event.

Being HIV-positive does not mean you have AIDS. AIDS is the most advanced stage of the HIV disease.

Proper treatment can keep you from developing AIDS.

For more information about testing and other health related issues, please contact Keith Blocker at 850-875-8794 or the Gadsden County Health Department at 850-875-7200.

(There is a companion video of this story that will be on our web site at havanaherald.net)